nuclide
Specific atomic type
A nuclide is a specific type of atom characterized by its number of protons and neutrons.
While element refers only to proton count, nuclide specifies the exact nuclear composition: carbon-12 and carbon-14 are different nuclides of the same element.
The term is useful in nuclear physics and chemistry when discussing isotopes, radioactive decay, and nuclear reactions.
Elemental variant by mass
- radioisotopeUnstable atomic nucleus variant
- radionuclideDecay-prone atomic nucleus
- isobarConstant pressure contour
- isomerSame formula, different shape
Secure and unchanging
- unstableProne to sudden change
- radioactiveEmitting nuclear decay particles
- metastableStable but not permanently
- magic numberWins needed to clinch
even-odd · drip line · island of stability · half-life · ground state · excited state · spin · parity
Emission of helium nuclei
- beta decayRadioactive nucleon transformation process
- gamma rayHigh-energy nuclear emission
- activityEngagement in doing
- curieUnit of radioactive decay
Atomic core formation process
- fusionJoining into unity
- abundanceAmple supply, overflowing
- supernovaExploding massive star
- neutron starUltradense stellar remnant
Path-marking projectile
- radiopharmaceuticalMedicinal radioactive substance
- carbon-14 datingIsotope-based age measurement
- radiometric datingAge measurement via atomic decay
- irradiationExposure to radiant energy
technetium-99m · iodine-131 · cobalt-60 · uranium-235 · plutonium-239 · tritium · deuterium
isotope
Elemental variant by mass
- radioisotopeUnstable atomic nucleus variant
- radionuclideDecay-prone atomic nucleus
- isobarConstant pressure contour
stable
Secure and unchanging
- unstableProne to sudden change
- radioactiveEmitting nuclear decay particles
- metastableStable but not permanently
magic number · even-odd · drip line · island of stability · half-life · ground state · excited state · spin · parity
alpha decay
Emission of helium nuclei
- beta decayRadioactive nucleon transformation process
- gamma rayHigh-energy nuclear emission
- activityEngagement in doing
nucleosynthesis
Atomic core formation process
tracer
Path-marking projectile
- radiopharmaceuticalMedicinal radioactive substance
- carbon-14 datingIsotope-based age measurement
- radiometric datingAge measurement via atomic decay
irradiation · technetium-99m · iodine-131 · cobalt-60 · uranium-235 · plutonium-239 · tritium · deuterium
- nuclear physicsfission, neutron, proton, reactor, atomic number
- radioactive decayalpha decay, beta decay, gamma decay, half-life, decay rate